Take a glance at the top 10 teams this season in all five classifications, and many of them have something in common: they own at least one state title.
True, teams such as Lowndes, Thomas County Central, LaGrange and Buford will be among the state’s elite teams every season; they have championship tradition, and the trophies to show for it. But there are many teams around the state that are looking to get over the hump with that first state title, and a handful in each classification have the talent to do it.
CLASS 5A …
The obvious frontrunner to pick up their first title in the highest classification is the No. 1 Grayson Rams. This team has it all: A well-coached, versatile quarterback in Patrick Santry; a dynamite running game led by Ean Pemberton; and a stingy defense that has the Rams ranked in every national poll, and as high as No. 2 in the RivalsHigh national rankings. Grayon has taken over Region 8 over the last few years, and now will look to solidify their place in the national prep football scene with a state title.
The last — and only — time the North Gwinnett Bulldogs reached the championship game, it was an affair to forget for a program that has been building a winner under Bob Sphire. Conditions were averse for the Suwanee school, which had to travel all the way to play Lowndes on a soggy field. Predictably, the Vikings picked up their fifth state title against the outmatched Bulldogs. This year, North will be looking to, first, secure its first region title in the coming weeks; the season finale with Peachtree Ridge will likely decide the 7-AAAAA champion. The third-ranked Bulldogs are undefeated on the year.
Other teams that will be in the discussion are Newnan, Stephenson and McEachern. For all their successes on the field, these programs are still title-less, but could change that this season. With nine region title and a championship game loss to Warner Robins in 1981, Newnan is the highest ranked of these three teams at No. 4, and has the type of defense, led by the country’s top safety in Alec Ogletree, that can earn a team a title. Stephenson has had loads of success since opening in 1996, but has only a semifinals appearance to show for all the next-level talent that has come through the halls (DeMario Minter, Anthony Cannon, Kregg Lumpkin and Marcus Ball come to mind). McEachern is still seeking that first state title despite long being a power player in the state football order.
Woodstock is a darkhorse, to be sure, but has a coach that knows what it takes to win a title. Mike O’Brien picked one up as the head coach at Valdosta in 1998, and the Wolverines have good playoff experience; they nearly knocked off ’08 champion Camden County in the quarterfinals in Kingsland, falling 18-17.
OTHER TOP TEAMS …
Class 4A Westside-Macon is a fairly new school with a strong, but short, tradition (albeit with no state titles, of course). The Seminoles looked to be a state contender last season, but fell short to eventual champion Tucker in the playoffs. This team may have lost all-world linebacker Julian Burnett, but may be stronger overall this season. The No. 2 team, led by first-year head coach Sheddrick Risper, is ranked No. 2 overall and has blown teams out in brutal fashion. In fact, Westside has enjoyed margins of victory no smaller than 17 points in every game this season. The ‘Noles have had two semifinals appearances under legendary former coach Robert Davis, but they lost to Valdosta and Parkview in those years.
At No. 4 in Class 4A, Sandy Creek will be a darkhorse behind Griffin (two titles), Westside and Southwest DeKalb (also two titles). No. 5 North Clayton, No. 6 Hiram and No. 9 Apalachee would be first-timers as well. North Clayton has a pair of finals defeats from the 60s, but has lacked staying power in the state playoffs in recent years. This year’s squad may have the ability to change that, with a tough team led by two-way standout Clarence Jackson. Hiram and Apalachee have already broken new ground with their seasons so far; both founded in 2000, the schools are still building football tradition brick by brick.
And back to Sandy Creek, the Patriots have had some quality seasons over the years, but were unable to win a championship even with the likes of Calvin Johnson (they could only reach the second round while the superstar was in school). Sandy Creek will try and use last year’s experience, when the team went 10-0 in the regular season only to lose to Rome in the second round, to push it over the edge this fall.
In Class 2A, one of the title-less team with a shot to win it all is Jefferson County in Class 2A. The Warriors have been competitive since the program started up in 1995, but haven’t had a team this powerful and dynamic. Led by do-it-all quarterback B.J. Bostic, the Warriors are ranked No. 4 in Class 2A behind perennial powers Calhoun, Fitzgerald and Buford.
The cover photo is courtesy of Photographic Arts, and the inside photo is courtesy of Anna Lush/Jefferson County High School. Ewalt can be reached at aewalt@scoreatl.com.
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